City of Prior Lake Trunk Highway 13 trail improvements bond issue and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Jasinski and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes $4,103,000 in bonds to design, engineer, and build a three-segment bituminous trail on the west side of Trunk Highway 13 in Prior Lake to improve safety and access for p

Author added Jasinski

#appropriations #bonds #citiesandtowns-specific

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes an appropriation and the sale of state bonds to fund the design, engineering, and construction of a three-segment, bituminous multiuse trail along the west side of Trunk Highway 13 in the city of Prior Lake.

The trail is intended to provide a safe route to schools, improve accessibility, and enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Key provisions

Section 1: Appropriation and project scope

Appropriation amount: $4,103,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds account in the Trunk Highway Fund.

Use of funds: Money is to be used by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (the Commissioner of Transportation) to design, engineer, and construct three segments of a bituminous multiuse trail along the west side of Trunk Highway 13 in Prior Lake.

Project goals: Improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists and provide a safer route to schools.

Section 1: Bond authorization

Bond issuance: The Commissioner of Management and Budget shall sell and issue state bonds up to $4,103,000 to fund the appropriation.

Bond proceeds handling: Proceeds, excluding accrued interest and any premium from bond sales, must be deposited into the bond proceeds account in the Trunk Highway Fund.

Legal basis for bonds: Bond issuance follows Minnesota Statutes § 167.50 to 167.52 and Minnesota Constitution, Article XIV, Section 11, including timing and amounts as requested by the Commissioner of Transportation.

Effective date

The section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Affected entities and beneficiaries

Primary beneficiary: City of Prior Lake residents and users, particularly students and pedestrians/bicyclists who would benefit from the trail.

State agencies involved: Minnesota Department of Transportation (design, engineering, construction) and the Minnesota Management and Budget (bond issuance).

Procedural and timeline notes

Status and handling: Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation on April 16, 2026.

Action history: Introduced and read; subsequent sponsor additions noted (Jasinski listed as a co-sponsor, in addition to Pratt).

Funding timeline: Requires bond sale to occur in accordance with statutory provisions; bond proceeds disbursement follows after bond issuance.

Potential impact

Short-term: Establishes a dedicated funding source and authorizes debt authority to finance the project.

Medium-term: Enables design, engineering, and construction of a three-segment trail on the west side of Trunk Highway 13 in Prior Lake, improving safety and accessibility.

Long-term: Provides a durable multiuse trail that supports safe commuting and school access, potentially encouraging non-motorized transportation and contributing to local accessibility improvements.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar MN transportation trail projects or provide a one-page explainer for residents in Prior Lake.

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